Latest News and Breaking Stories

live Russia pulls staff, attacks stopped, Trump says Iran wants ceasefire - Middle East conflict on 1 Apri

There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran reportedly killed at least two people. A loud explosion was heard in Beirut in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, as oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel.

Trump: U.S. could end the Iran war in two to three weeks

07:23

Middle East conflict

Trump: U.S. could end the Iran war in two to three weeks

President Donald Trump said the United States could end its military attacks on Iran within two to three weeks and Tehran did not have to make a deal as a prerequisite for the conflict to wind down.

Australia PM warns of prolonged economic shock over Iran's war, in rare national address

13:08

Middle East conflict

Australia PM warns of prolonged economic shock over Iran's war, in rare national address

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned the economic shocks of the war in the Middle East would be felt for months and encouraged citizens to take public transport in a rare address to the nation on Wednesday (1 April).

07:40

Plane Crash

Russian military plane crash in Crimea kills 30 people

A Russian military An-26 aircraft has crashed in Crimea, killing all 30 people on board, Russia’s Defence Ministry has confirmed.

Explosions heard in Damascus as Syria's president says it will stay out of Iran conflict unless it faces aggression

08:57

Middle East conflict

Explosions heard in Damascus as Syria's president says it will stay out of Iran conflict unless it faces aggression

Explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus as Israeli air defences intercepted Iranian missiles, Syrian state television reported on Tuesday.

Region

South Caucasus Central Asia Middle East

IOM says 1,492 Afghans died or went missing on migration routes in 2025

17:40

Missing Afghan Migrants

IOM says 1,492 Afghans died or went missing on migration routes in 2025

At least 1,492 Afghans died or went missing during migration journeys worldwide in 2025, most on the Afghanistan–Iran route, according to a new International Organization for Migration (IOM) report.

15:52

Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan

Kazakhstan - Uzbekistan trade rises 16.2% to nearly $5bn

Trade between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan rose by 16.2% in 2025 to nearly $5 billion, underscoring deepening economic ties highlighted during a visit by Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yerlan Kosherbayev.

Georgia limits election observer roles to foreign citizens amid post-election reforms

14:53

Georgia election law

Georgia limits election observer roles to foreign citizens amid post-election reforms

Georgia has introduced changes to its election laws, fuelling renewed debate over transparency and political control in an already tense post-election climate.

At least 18 people dead after migrant boat sinks off Türkiye's Aegean coast

11:53

Migrants

At least 18 people dead after migrant boat sinks off Türkiye's Aegean coast

At least 18 people were killed when an inflatable boat carrying migrants sank off Türkiye's western province of Mugla on Wednesday, the coastguard said in a statement, adding that search and rescue efforts continued in the area.

Armenia’s PM Pashinyan arrives in Russia for talks with Putin

1h ago

Russia Armenia Relations

Armenia’s PM Pashinyan arrives in Russia for talks with Putin

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is in Russia for a working visit, with talks expected to focus on bilateral and regional cooperation with R...

2h ago

NASA

Artemis II: NASA prepares for first crewed Moon mission in decades

NASA is preparing to launch Artemis II with four astronauts on a roughly 10-day mission around the Moon, marking its most ambitious human spaceflig...

2h ago

World Cup

Türkiye qualify for 2026 World Cup after 24-year absence

Türkiye secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1–0 away victory over Kosovo in the European qualifying play-off final, en...

2h ago

Middle East Conflict

live Russia pulls staff, attacks stopped, Trump says Iran wants ceasefire - Middle East conflict on 1 Apri

There are fears of an oil spill after a drone strike hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai on Tuesday, while U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran report...

Japan and France step up coordination on Hormuz and Iran conflict

2h ago

Diplomacy

Japan and France step up coordination on Hormuz and Iran conflict

Japan and France agreed on Wednesday to coordinate closely in efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and reopen the Strait of H...

Tashkent spotlights Central Eurasia’s rise in space industry and global partnerships

15:18

View from Uzbekistan

Tashkent spotlights Central Eurasia’s rise in space industry and global partnerships

Central Eurasia’s growing role in the global space industry took centre stage at the Space Technology Conference 2026, where regional players outlined new satellite projects, investment plans and opportunities for international cooperation.

World

World News

Russia claims full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region

13:45

Politics

Russia claims full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had taken full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, suggesting they had seized a small remaining area that had stayed beyond their reach since 2022.

Estonia says stray Ukrainian drones entered its territory between Monday and Tuesday

15:19

Ukraine-Russia war

Estonia says stray Ukrainian drones entered its territory between Monday and Tuesday

Drones detected in Estonia appear to have strayed from Ukraine while headed for Russia, the Baltic country's armed forces said late on Tuesday. Estonia had earlier said it detected drones inside and outside its airspace overnight, with broadcaster ERR reporting that drone debris was found.

Strait of Hormuz blockade triggers urgent response from UK, France and Japan

14:42

Energy Security

Strait of Hormuz blockade triggers urgent response from UK, France and Japan

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi have called for urgent action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as escalating conflict continues to choke one of the world’s most critical energy routes.

U.S. judge blocks Trump’s $400m White House ballroom project

14:06

White House remodeling

U.S. judge blocks Trump’s $400m White House ballroom project

A U.S. judge has blocked President Donald Trump from moving ahead with plans to build a $400 million ballroom on the site of the demolished East Wing of the White House, pausing one of the most high-profile efforts to reshape the presidential complex.

Business

Business Economy Markets

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

14:48

Energy supply

U.S. petrol prices top $4 a gallon amid Iran conflict and energy market turmoil

The U.S. national average retail price of petrol rose above $4 a gallon for the first time in over three years on Monday (30 March), according to GasBuddy data, as the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran continued to roil global energy markets.

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

14:16

Energy crisis

Japan, Indonesia step up energy ties as U.S.-Israeli Iran war strains supplies

Japan and Indonesia will deepen coordination on energy security, Tokyo said, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts vital oil and gas flows to Asia.

China's top airlines cautious on financial outlook as impact of Iran war raises fuel costs

11:28

Aviation

China's top airlines cautious on financial outlook as impact of Iran war raises fuel costs

China's three largest state-owned airlines have issued warnings regarding their financial outlook for the current year, acknowledging that the eruption of war involving Iran has driven jet fuel prices to unsustainable highs.

Global markets slide as Iran conflict drives oil surge and recession fears

13:31

Prices Surge

Global markets slide as Iran conflict drives oil surge and recession fears

Stock markets across Asia fell on Monday as escalating conflict involving Iran drove oil prices sharply higher, fuelling fears of inflation and a potential global recession, with investors reacting to disruption risks in the Strait of Hormuz and prolonged hostilities.

WTO suffers fresh blow as reform push hits a wall at Cameroon meeting

12:53

World Trade

WTO suffers fresh blow as reform push hits a wall at Cameroon meeting

World Trade Organization (WTO) talks broke up with no agreement on Monday on a plan for reform or even on extending a moratorium on e-commerce, piling more pressure on the trade body that finds itself increasingly sidelined by economic nationalism.

Culture

Culture News Lifestyle Art

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

08:18

Entertainment

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion hospitalised after falling ill on Broadway during Moulin Rouge performance

Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion was hospitalised in New York City after she fell ill mid-performance during a Broadway production of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical'.

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

14:07

Culture

Eurovision expands to Asia with first contest set for 2026

The European Broadcasting Union and global entertainment company Voxovation have announced that the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest Asia will take place in 2026, with Bangkok selected to host the inaugural edition.

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

07:56

Entertainment

Taylor Swift and 'Showgirl' dominate iHeartRadio Music Awards

Music superstar Taylor Swift scored a leading seven trophies at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Thursday including artist of the year and best pop album for the upbeat record "The Life of a Showgirl."

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death

15:40

Film Innovation

AI to recreate Val Kilmer's performance in film after actor’s death

Late Hollywood actor Val Kilmer will appear posthumously in the upcoming film "As Deep as the Grave" through the use of generative artificial intelligence, in what producers describe as a first-of-its-kind performance.

Most viewed

Iran-U.S.-Israel tensions rise after strikes and threats of retaliation - 31 March

21:05

Middle East Conflict

Iran-U.S.-Israel tensions rise after strikes and threats of retaliation - 31 March

The Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict is intensifying, with fresh strikes near Tehran, European calls for restraint, and Iran threatening to target U.S. firms in the region, raising fears of a broader escalation across the Middle East.

20:14

Middle East Conflict

live Russia pulls staff, attacks stopped, Trump says Iran wants ceasefire - Middle East conflict on 1 Apri

11:28

Aviation

China's top airlines cautious on financial outlook as impact of Iran war raises fuel costs

Dozens killed in Haiti gang 'massacre', rights organisations report

07:29

Gang Violence

Dozens killed in Haiti gang 'massacre', rights organisations report

At least 70 people have been killed and more than 30 wounded in a gang attack in Haiti’s Artibonite region, according to two rights organisations, as thousands of residents fled the violence in the towns of Jean Denis and Pont Sondé.

How do social media rules for under-16s vary around the world?

12:52

Social Media ban

How do social media rules for under-16s vary around the world?

Australia’s move to ban social media access for children under 16 has intensified a global debate, as governments around the world weigh tougher rules amid growing concerns over mental health, safety and screen addiction.

Health

Health news Healthcare

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

18:14

Mingitis Outbreak UK

Six new meningitis cases reported in UK bringing total to 27

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that as of Wednesday evening, it has identified six new cases of meningococcal disease in Kent, bringing the total of confirmed or suspected cases to at least 27.

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

10:40

Middle East Conflict

WHO maps out $2m for Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, warns of health crisis as conflict escalates

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released $2m in emergency funding to support health responses in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria as escalating regional conflict strains hospitals, raises displacement and increases pressure on already fragile health systems.

Austria moves to ban social media for children under 14

11:54

Europe tech rules

Austria moves to ban social media for children under 14

Austria’s government on Friday approved plans to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 14, alongside reforms to upper secondary school curricula aimed at boosting media literacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education from the 2027/28 academic year.

Scottish lawmakers vote against bill legalising assisted dying

12:17

Health news

Scottish lawmakers vote against bill legalising assisted dying

The Scottish Parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying, ending a years-long campaign to make Scotland the first part of the UK to allow the practice.

War in Middle East disrupts medicine shipments to Gulf, raising concerns over cancer drug supply

15:37

Middle East conflict

War in Middle East disrupts medicine shipments to Gulf, raising concerns over cancer drug supply

The war in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt the flow of critical medicines to Gulf countries, raising concerns about the supply of cancer treatments and other temperature-sensitive drugs, according to pharmaceutical industry executives.

Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia fall by 75% but UN agencies warn of the risk of outbreaks

13:20

WHO Report

Measles cases in Europe and Central Asia fall by 75% but UN agencies warn of the risk of outbreaks

Measles cases across Europe and Central Asia fell sharply in 2025 compared to the previous year but health officials have warned that the risk of fresh outbreaks remains unless vaccination gaps are urgently addressed.

Travel

Travel News Destinations

20:52

Tourism Impact

Middle East crisis disrupts travel flows, $56B loss and millions of trips at risk

The ongoing conflict involving Iran is set to disrupt global travel on a massive scale, with nearly 28 million outbound trips from the Middle East at risk this year, according to Oxford Economics.

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

15:45

Historic Reopening

Rome opens Colosseum’s southern walkways as public square for tourists

The Colosseum in Rome has reopened its southern corridors as a public square following a four-year restoration, giving visitors free access to a long-lost part of the ancient monument. The newly restored area was unveiled on Tuesday (17 March).

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

16:20

Middle East Conflict

Iran conflict slashes Middle East tourism, costing $600M daily

The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran is already hitting the Middle East travel and tourism sector hard, with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimating losses of at least $600 million per day in international visitor spending.

Vietnam Airlines to cut domestic routes due to jet fuel shortage

07:42

Middle East conflict

Vietnam Airlines to cut domestic routes due to jet fuel shortage

Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to cancel 23 flights per week across several domestic routes from April because of looming jet fuel shortages, Vietnam's aviation authority said.

Green

Green News Climate Nature

16:15

Climate risks

Central Asia steps up action on rapid glacier melt and climate risks

Central Asia is stepping up efforts to address rapid glacier melt, following United Nations warnings of unprecedented climate pressure on mountain ecosystems.

European airlines likely beat 2% green jet fuel target last year

09:13

European Aviation

European airlines likely beat 2% green jet fuel target last year

Europe's aviation sector hit - and may well have surpassed - a 2% mandate for green jet fuel use in 2025, a regulatory official and a source told Reuters, bolstering airlines' green credentials as the region seeks to cut reliance on hydrocarbons.

China braces for severe floods and drought in 2026

18:51

China Floods and Drought

China braces for severe floods and drought in 2026

China is preparing for a year of extreme weather in 2026, with authorities warning the country could face both severe flooding and widespread drought, underscoring mounting climate pressures.

15:04

Afghanistan

Floods and storms kill 28 and destroy homes across Afghanistan

Heavy rain, flash floods and lightning strikes across Afghanistan have killed 28 people and destroyed hundreds of homes in Kabul, Herat and other provinces.

Energy, economy and regional geopolitical stability at risk as climate change hits Central Asia

12:57

Climate crisis

Energy, economy and regional geopolitical stability at risk as climate change hits Central Asia

Central Asia’s energy systems are becoming increasingly vulnerable as countries depend heavily on single power sources while facing mounting climate pressures, a new report by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) warns.

Program more

13:28

Board of Peace

Can the Board of Peace deliver on promises to rebuild Gaza - and reshape diplomacy?

In a special edition of Context, Orkhan Amashov reports from Washington on the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, examining plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, a proposed stabilisation force, and the wider diplomatic impact of the U.S.-led initiative.

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